How To Teach A Dog To Fetch
Do you know that you can easily get the attention of the gorgeous ladies in the beach if you have a handsome dog that moves with lighting speed to catch the Frisbee when you say “Fetch”? A dog that can fetch will be a joy to play with. Puppies though are not obtained from the breeder already trained to fetch. A retriever is a breed highly valued by hunters to get the game after the shot but the retrieving ability is not innate as these dogs have to undertake training before they can be useful hunter’s companions.
The fetch command is one of the basic obedience lessons that can be learned easily by the dog. Dogs are playful animals thus it would not be difficult to get them interested to the training at it will be viewed by the dog as another game. An owner wanting to teach the pet to fetch can take advantage of the dog’s inherent eagerness to please. Dogs are food motivated thus favorite treats can be used as positive reinforcement to make the training easier.
Play with the dog first before starting the training. Get the dog’s attention by playing with the toy that will be used in the training. Play with the ball, toss and then retrieve. The dog will surely be enticed to play because dogs are naturally playful. Toss the ball a few feet away and give the fetch command. At the start of the training, the dog will not return the ball to you although it may run after the ball and play with it for a while. Praise the dog and toss the ball again. Keep on training the dog until it has learned to obey the fetch command. Give a treat and praise the dog.
The reward will be associated by the dog to obeying the fetch command. Toss the ball a little farther and give the fetch command. The dog will go a little further but may not pick up the ball. Do not reward the dog with the treat. The dog must understand that a reward is forthcoming only if the ball is fetched.
Another way of teaching the dog to fetch is to use a toy with an opening where a treat can be placed. Just make sure that the dog cannot get the treat inside the toy. The purpose of using a baited toy will be lost if the dog can remove and eat the treat. The baited toy should be should be returned to you so you can remove the treat that will be given to the dog.
Learn more tricks on how to teach a dog to fetch and dog first aid at Sarah’s Dogs.
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